Solskjaer ‘confident’ of Man Utd miracle in Paris

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his “confident” side could stage a Champions League fightback at Paris Saint-Germain this week after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku’s 89th-minute strike at Old Trafford, his fourth goal in two games, fired United back into the top four at the expense of Arsenal, who were held by Tottenham.

Solskjaer’s side will be aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League last 16, second leg at PSG on Wednesday.

“The dressing room was bouncing, they were happy, looking forward to Wednesday,” said the Norwegian.

“We’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe with some absolute quality players but who knows? This has happened before, so many great comebacks.

“The Champions League has given quite a few of those comebacks, PSG against Barcelona for example. We have to do it away from home, but have eight straight wins away from home.

“We’re confident away from home and if we’re in the game with 20 or 30 minutes to go, who knows?”

Solskjaer’s mentor Alex Ferguson became renowned for his team’s last-minute winners during a golden era that featured the current United interim manager, who scored a stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

And the Norwegian appeared to have summoned the spirits of the Ferguson era, after United claimed a crucial three points against lowly Southampton.

“It was like the old days,” beamed Solskjaer, whose side now lead Arsenal by one point in the race for Champions League qualification, with Chelsea four points further back with two games in hand.

“I’ve been part of that so many times myself. We spoke about it at half-time and said get the ball in the box and play more forward because the Stretford End will suck it in for you.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Andreas (Pereira) and Romelu, because they were great finishes, but that spirit is just part of this club’s history. We have done it so many times before.”

United appeared to be heading towards a disappointing home draw in the closing moments, when substitute Fred exchanged passes with Luke Shaw and found the in-form Lukaku on the edge of the area.

The Belgian striker did the rest with a pinpoint 18-yard finish into the bottom corner.

Solskjaer could even enjoy the luxury of a missed injury-time penalty when Paul Pogba’s effort was well saved by Angus Gunn following Stuart Armstrong’s trip on Marcus Rashford.

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